Letters – Joseph Richmond to Christopher Denton – 23 Nov 1755

To Mr Chr. Denton London

Newcastle 23 Nov 1755

Dr Sr

I have only to write you th[is] post th[a]t I've rec[eive]d on the 17th of Mr Shafto Downs 9.5.0 on your acct & have  p[ai]d my son John 10s 6d agreeable to y[ou]r order.

Our Correspondence runs very little into politics, but I sho[ul]d be glad to have y[ou]r sentim[en]ts whether there is any probability th[a]t matters can be made up between France & England this winter. for Hull & Stockton are selling their Lead at any rate & our Mts [Merchants] here have no Com[missio]ns to offer any price at all, so th[a]t some Method must be taken to get p[ar]t of the great stock disposd of wch S[i]r W[alte]r has now at Market. They sell now at Stockton their fo[the]r of 22 cwt under £16 & I wish Sr Wr  has 5 or 6000 Pieces sold at £16 a fo[the]r. I have got Messrs P[eareth] & Sorsbie to write to Messrs Stainbank & Freeman to know w[ha]t they will offer for a Quantity but I find they are backw[ar]d in offering any price at all, affairs are in so ticklish a Situation. If Sr Wr shho[ul]d think proper to make them an offer of 5000 P[iece]s at 19.5.6 or if th[a]t will not do at £15 a fo[the]r & to ship it without com[missio]n it might perhaps do, but then our M[erchan]ts here wo[ul]d take it amiss, but I think at this time th[a]t sho[ul]d not be much regarded. I desire you will take St Wr's directions in this matter.  I am etc   JR